Bihar Police is fully prepared to use e-Saakshya App

The Indian government launched the e-Saakshya App on August 4, 2024, to enhance the speed and transparency of criminal investigations under the new criminal laws, specifically within the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These laws emphasize the use of technology at every stage, from filing FIRs to conducting trials. This marks a significant shift toward ensuring transparency in the judicial process and investigations. Bihar Police has fully prepared to implement the e-Saakshya App, with an online training program scheduled for August 9, 2024, for all field officers.

Mandatory Technology Under Sections 105 and 183 of BNSS

Under Section 105 of the BNSS, videography of search and seizure operations is mandatory, while Section 183 mandates the digital recording of confessions and victims’ statements. Investigating officers can download the e-Saakshya App on their mobile phones to capture videos and photographs of crime scenes and record witness statements. Once the recording is completed, the information is securely stored in an evidence locker and integrated into the charge sheet, which will then be electronically submitted to the court.

SCRB-Organized Training Program

To ensure the efficient use of the e-Saakshya App, the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) will hold an online training program on August 9, targeting Bihar Police officers at various levels, including Station House Officers (SHOs), Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), and Inspectors General (IGs). This training will be coordinated online by SCRB, CID, and NIC, focusing on the App’s key features and important provisions of the new criminal laws related to evidence collection. Earlier, the state provided advanced training to approximately 25,000 police officers in new criminal laws, forensic science, and digital policing.

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Key Features of the e-Saakshya App

The e-Saakshya App will not only make the implementation of new laws more effective but also ensure transparency and security. The App’s features are divided into several sections, such as:

ICJS Platform: Acts as a bridge for data exchange between the police, courts, and other relevant agencies.
Police and Court Applications: Allows police and courts to view various data, accessible only to authorized personnel.
Locker: A secure storage system designed like an entity locker, where data packets are stored safely to prevent tampering.

The App enhances transparency and reliability in police operations. The inclusion of audio-visual recordings in search and seizure operations reduces the chances of evidence tampering. Section 105 of the BNSS also mandates videography of the preparation of lists of seized items during operations, with signatures from impartial witnesses. Through the e-Saakshya App, the timing of video recordings is also logged, and a hash value is generated for the recorded videos, making it impossible to tamper with the evidence.

The e-Saakshya App also allows for the videography of forensic evidence collection, making the process more transparent and reliable. Section 176(3) of the BNSS emphasizes the need for videography during forensic evidence collection. Additionally, under Section 176(1), confessions by accused persons and other witness statements can be recorded using audio-visual means during police investigations. This provision protects accused persons from any undue pressure during interrogation. Overall, the e-Saakshya App will make the investigation process faster, more transparent, and reliable, and Bihar Police is fully prepared to use it.

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Amit Lodha, Inspector General of Police, State Crime Records Bureau, emphasized that the provisions under the new laws offer protection to accused individuals from any undue pressure during police custody interrogations. He stated that the e-Saakshya App will significantly enhance the speed, transparency, and reliability of the investigation process. Bihar Police is fully prepared to implement and use the e-Saakshya App effectively.

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